IdeaWazaWiki - User contributions [en]

Ronin Institute

2025-08-31T11:31:20Z

70.31.29.186:

{{Short description|Independent scholarly research institute}}
{{Infobox university
|name = Ronin Institute
|logo =
|logo_size =
|image = Ronin-Seal.jpg
|image_size = 150
|alt =
|caption =
|latin_name =
|campus =
|type = Private research institute
|motto = Scientiam consecemus
|founders = Jon F. Wilkins
|established = 2012
|president =
|chairman =
|head_label =
|head =
|faculty =
|adjunct_faculty =
|staff =
|budget =
|endowment =
|debt =
|subsidiaries =
|owner =
|non-profit_slogan =
|former_name =
|location = [[Montclair, New Jersey]], U.S.
|province =
|coor =
|website = {{URL|http://ronininstitute.org}}
|dissolved = 2024
|footnotes =
}}
The '''Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship''', commonly called just the '''Ronin Institute''', was an independent scholarly research institute located in [[Montclair, New Jersey]], United States. The institute was dedicated to multidisciplinary study of science and the humanities and supports the work of [[independent scientist]]s and [[scholars]].<ref name=BG>Keith O'Brien, [https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2012/05/26/new-idea-for-unemployed-academics/UUZOGe1KNWvUXDl7Yae1IL/story.html "The Ronin Institute for Wayward Academics"], ''Boston Globe'', May 27, 2012</ref>

The institute consisted of research scholars from a range of fields and disciplines, such as [[computational economics]], [[high energy physics]], [[earth sciences]], [[theology]], [[law]], [[history]] and [[philosophy]].<ref name=Wired/> The majority were independent, while others hold [[Academic personnel|faculty appointments]] at traditional universities. The institute meets regularly for seminars, conferences, and grants management.<ref name=Ronin/>

A new Ronin Institute was incorporated in California in 2025 under a different board.

==History==

In 2012, Jon F. Wilkins, an [[evolutionary biology|evolutionary biologist]], and former member of the [[Harvard Society of Fellows]] and [[Santa Fe Institute]], founded the Ronin Institute in New Jersey. The institute's original mission was to aggregate "fractional scholarship" happening outside the academy by creating a new model to support independent researchers.<ref name=Wired>Samuel Arbesman, [https://www.wired.com/2012/05/the-rise-of-fractional-scholarship-and-the-ronin-institute/ "The Rise of Fractional Scholarship and the Ronin Institute"], ''Wired.com'', May 1, 2012</ref>

According to its official mission, the institute remains "devoted to facilitating and promoting scholarly research outside traditional academic research institutions"<ref name=Ronin>Ronin Institute, [http://ronininstitute.org/mission/ ''Mission''], Organizational Website, accessed September 2020</ref> and providing an alternative to the traditional [[academic job market|academic career path]] and [[academic tenure|tenure track]] appointments.<ref name=BG/>

The name "Ronin" derives from the legend of [[Rōnin]]: samurais who broke with the code of feudal Japan by refusing to commit suicide upon the deaths of their masters. According to Wilkins, the metaphor is analogous to scholars who leave the academy, but continue to pursue scholarly research:
{{Quote|The analogy is, if you're not employed by a university and you're an academic, you're supposed to say, 'Well, I'm not an academic anymore.' You're supposed to sort of commit professional suicide at that point. And what we're saying is, 'You know what? No, we can do this. We don't need a master.'<ref name=BG/>}}

As of 2024 the Ronin Institute is "no longer in operation and has officially closed its doors".<ref> name=Ronin<Ronin Institute, [http://ronininstitute.org]</ref> A new Ronin Institute was incorporated in California in 2025 under a different board.

==Organization==

The institute was governed by a board of directors with grants and financial administration and a community-level advisory board. Each member of the advisory board led a working group that focused on one essential aspect of the community: governance, communications, events, infrastructure, membership, and research.<ref name=Ronin/>

The institute had a single academic rank, the "Research Scholar", to create a more egalitarian structure. Research Scholars met virtually and in-person, with researchers from 33 countries.<ref name=Wired/>

==Notable scholars==
{{More citations needed section|date=May 2022}}
*[[Lee Altenberg]], evolutionary theory
*[[Laurel Haak]], research policy
*[[:pl:Arkadiusz Jadczyk|Arkadiusz Jadczyk]], quantum theory<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ronininstitute.org/research-scholars/arkadiusz-jadczyk/ |title=Arkadiusz Jadczyk – Ronin Institute |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Ronin Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007175745/http://ronininstitute.org/research-scholars/arkadiusz-jadczyk/ |archive-date=2021-10-07 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Kristina Killgrove]], biological anthropology
*Jocelyn Scheirer, technology

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://ronininstitute.org/}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|40.8416|-74.1980|display=title}}

[[Category:Research institutes in New Jersey]]
[[Category:2012 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Montclair, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Research institutes established in 2012]]
[[Category:Organizations disestablished in 2024]]

Ronin Institute

2025-08-31T11:29:22Z

70.31.29.186:

{{Short description|Independent scholarly research institute}}
{{Infobox university
|name = Ronin Institute
|logo =
|logo_size =
|image = Ronin-Seal.jpg
|image_size = 150
|alt =
|caption =
|latin_name =
|campus =
|type = Private research institute
|motto = Scientiam consecemus
|founders = Jon F. Wilkins
|established = 2012
|president =
|chairman =
|head_label =
|head =
|faculty =
|adjunct_faculty =
|staff =
|budget =
|endowment =
|debt =
|subsidiaries =
|owner =
|non-profit_slogan =
|former_name =
|location = [[Montclair, New Jersey]], U.S.
|province =
|coor =
|website = {{URL|http://ronininstitute.org}}
|dissolved = 2024
|footnotes =
}}
The '''Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship''', commonly called just the '''Ronin Institute''', was an independent scholarly research institute located in [[Montclair, New Jersey]], United States. The institute was dedicated to multidisciplinary study of science and the humanities and supports the work of [[independent scientist]]s and [[scholars]].<ref name=BG>Keith O'Brien, [https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2012/05/26/new-idea-for-unemployed-academics/UUZOGe1KNWvUXDl7Yae1IL/story.html "The Ronin Institute for Wayward Academics"], ''Boston Globe'', May 27, 2012</ref>

The institute consisted of research scholars from a range of fields and disciplines, such as [[computational economics]], [[high energy physics]], [[earth sciences]], [[theology]], [[law]], [[history]] and [[philosophy]].<ref name=Wired/> The majority were independent, while others hold [[Academic personnel|faculty appointments]] at traditional universities. The institute meets regularly for seminars, conferences, and grants management.<ref name=Ronin/>

A new Ronin Institute was incorporated in California in 2025 under a different board.

==History==

In 2012, Jon F. Wilkins, an [[evolutionary biology|evolutionary biologist]], and former member of the [[Harvard Society of Fellows]] and [[Santa Fe Institute]], founded the Ronin Institute in New Jersey. The institute's original mission was to aggregate "fractional scholarship" happening outside the academy by creating a new model to support independent researchers.<ref name=Wired>Samuel Arbesman, [https://www.wired.com/2012/05/the-rise-of-fractional-scholarship-and-the-ronin-institute/ "The Rise of Fractional Scholarship and the Ronin Institute"], ''Wired.com'', May 1, 2012</ref>

According to its official mission, the institute remains "devoted to facilitating and promoting scholarly research outside traditional academic research institutions"<ref name=Ronin>Ronin Institute, [http://ronininstitute.org/mission/ ''Mission''], Organizational Website, accessed September 2020</ref> and providing an alternative to the traditional [[academic job market|academic career path]] and [[academic tenure|tenure track]] appointments.<ref name=BG/>

The name "Ronin" derives from the legend of [[Rōnin]]: samurais who broke with the code of feudal Japan by refusing to commit suicide upon the deaths of their masters. According to Wilkins, the metaphor is analogous to scholars who leave the academy, but continue to pursue scholarly research:
{{Quote|The analogy is, if you're not employed by a university and you're an academic, you're supposed to say, 'Well, I'm not an academic anymore.' You're supposed to sort of commit professional suicide at that point. And what we're saying is, 'You know what? No, we can do this. We don't need a master.'<ref name=BG/>}}

As of 2024 the Ronin Institute is "no longer in operation and has officially closed its doors".<ref> name=Ronin<Ronin Institute, [http://ronininstitute.org]</ref> A new Ronin Institute is scheduled to be incorporated in California in 2025 under a different board.

==Organization==

The institute was governed by a board of directors with grants and financial administration and a community-level advisory board. Each member of the advisory board led a working group that focused on one essential aspect of the community: governance, communications, events, infrastructure, membership, and research.<ref name=Ronin/>

The institute had a single academic rank, the "Research Scholar", to create a more egalitarian structure. Research Scholars met virtually and in-person, with researchers from 33 countries.<ref name=Wired/>

==Notable scholars==
{{More citations needed section|date=May 2022}}
*[[Lee Altenberg]], evolutionary theory
*[[Laurel Haak]], research policy
*[[:pl:Arkadiusz Jadczyk|Arkadiusz Jadczyk]], quantum theory<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ronininstitute.org/research-scholars/arkadiusz-jadczyk/ |title=Arkadiusz Jadczyk – Ronin Institute |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Ronin Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007175745/http://ronininstitute.org/research-scholars/arkadiusz-jadczyk/ |archive-date=2021-10-07 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Kristina Killgrove]], biological anthropology
*Jocelyn Scheirer, technology

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://ronininstitute.org/}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|40.8416|-74.1980|display=title}}

[[Category:Research institutes in New Jersey]]
[[Category:2012 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Montclair, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Research institutes established in 2012]]
[[Category:Organizations disestablished in 2024]]

Archive:Fanboy

2006-03-23T04:02:07Z

70.31.57.86: /* History of fanboys and the term */

{{references}}
{{mergefrom|Nintendophile}}

'''Fanboy''' or '''fanboi''' is a term used to describe a male who is utterly devoted to a single subject or [[hobby]], often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]].

==History of fanboys and the term==
The term originated in [[comic book]] circles{{fact}}, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom, to the exclusion of a more mainstream social life. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other, less serious fans of the same material. Some fans use the term to label themselves; in the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys''. The term is usually applied to people in their teens or 20s{{fact}}. Within this group, common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[anime]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, and [[software]] companies.

The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, and generally unattractive figure of a young man who appears as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''. In the mid [[1990s]], the emergence of [[slacker]] culture changed this image somewhat{{fact}}. Movies such as [[Kevin Smith]]'s Jersey Trilogy (''[[Clerks]]'', ''[[Mallrats]]'', and ''[[Chasing Amy]]''), altered the image of the fanboy{{fact}}. As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to video gamers and television addicts{{fact}}. As a result, a subculture emerged which readily labeled itself as fanboys{{fact}}. Within this group, more effort is taken to fit in with a perceived standard, resulting in a more outgoing attitude, even among those with insecurities{{fact}}. Those not as deeply involved in the culture often view this attitude as abrasive{{fact}}.

The earliest use of the word "fanboy" has been dated to 1982, to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide". On this cover page are sketched overweight, overzealous comic book collectors wearing T-shirts that state "Fanboys of America," and are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics.

One example of this behavior is found in the [[video game industry]], where fans of any given [[video game console]] manufacturer can exhibit very high levels of devotion to their brand of choice, often at the expense of considering competing brands objectively. This attitude can lead to rudeness towards fans of competing brands or towards those who do not share their level of devotion to their console of choice. This pattern has contributed to a more negative connotation of the term.{{fact}}

Fanboys are often perceived as possessing a [[sycophant]]ic devotion to the creators behind the object of their passion{{fact}}, but also as being likely to move their focus quickly elsewhere with just as much passion, once something else catches their attention{{fact}}.
One example of this is [[Harry Knowles]] and his associates at [[Ain't It Cool News]], whose particular focus is on [[film|movies]] in the [[action movie|action]], [[fantasy]], adventure and [[superhero]] genres{{fact}}.
Fanboys are also perceived as having a strong emotional attachment to the object of their devotion, often responding to negative remarks about it as though they were personal attacks{{fact}}.

==Some common types of fanboys==
===Video game fanboys===
After comic books, video games may be the most fruitful environment for fanboys. These include:
*[[Nintendo]] Fanboys (sometimes called a "Ninty" or "Drone", short for "Nintendrone", also [[Nintendophile]]
*[[Sony]] Fanboys (sometimes called "Tools", short for "PSTool" which is derived from Sony's current entertainment console, the [[PS2]])
*[[Xbox]] Fanboys (sometimes called "Xbots")
*[[Sega]] Fanboys
*[[Final Fantasy]] Fanboys (want the series to continue forever)

On the [[GameSpot]] System Wars forum, as well as SystemWars.com [http://www.systemwars.com/forums/], the different schools of video game fanboys are associated with various animals. Nintendo fanboys are called "[[sheep]]" because of their perceived willingness to be herded by Nintendo. Sony fanboys are called "[[Cattle|cows]]" because of the perception they pay extra, i.e. are "milked" by Sony for optional features for their equipment of choice. Microsoft fanboys are called "[[Lemming|lemmings]]" because of the perception they follow Microsoft blindly, even if it leads to their demise. Similarly, PC fanboys are called "[[hermits]]" because they are perceived as solitary, friendless gamers who play by themselves.

===Anime fanboys===
Anime is another fertile breeding ground for fanboys. Some notable examples are:
*[[Dragon Ball]] Fanboys (get hung up on names, especially [[romanji]])
*[[Sailor Moon]] Fanboys (very strict about [[manga]] continuity)
*[[Inuyasha]] Fangirls (generally, they're all [[female]], but display all the traits of fanboys)

===Software fanboys===
* [[Linux]] Fanboys - Love open source and believe that anything coming from Microsoft is inferior.
* [[Mac]] Fanboys - Are devoted to the Mac design concept and think that anything coming from Apple is amazing.
* [[Microsoft]] Fanboys - Love Windows' ease-of-use and all Microsoft stuff.

==In Media==
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''

===Television===
*[[The Simpsons]]' [[Comic Book Guy]]

===Radio/Podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]

===Webcomics===
*[[Fanboy Almanac (webcomic)]] - [http://fanboyalmanac.com Fanboy Almanac]
*[http://www.ngeb.net/fanboys Fanboys web comic]

==See also==
* [[addiction]]
* [[otaku]]
* [[anorak (slang)|anorak]]

[[Category:Fandom]]

[[de:Fanboy]]

Archive:Fanboy

2006-03-23T03:55:02Z

70.31.57.86: /* History of fanboys and the term */

{{references}}
{{mergefrom|Nintendophile}}

'''Fanboy''' or '''fanboi''' is a term used to describe a male who is utterly devoted to a single subject or [[hobby]], often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]].

==History of fanboys and the term==
The term originated in [[comic book]] circles{{fact}}, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom, to the exclusion of a more mainstream social life. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other, less serious fans of the same material. Some fans use the term to label themselves; in the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys''. The term is usually applied to people in their teens or 20s{{fact}}. Within this group, common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[anime]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, and [[software]] companies.

The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, and generally unattractive figure of a young man who appears as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''. In the mid [[1990s]], the emergence of [[slacker]] culture changed this image somewhat{{fact}}. Movies such as [[Kevin Smith]]'s Jersey Trilogy (''[[Clerks]]'', ''[[Mallrats]]'', and ''[[Chasing Amy]]''), altered the image of the fanboy{{fact}}. As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to video gamers and television addicts{{fact}}. As a result, a subculture emerged which readily labeled itself as fanboys{{fact}}. Within this group, more effort is taken to fit in with a perceived standard, resulting in a more outgoing attitude, even among those with insecurities{{fact}}. Those not as deeply involved in the culture often view this attitude as abrasive{{fact}}.

The earliest use of the word "fanboy" has been dated to 1982, to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide", on which overweight, overzealous comic book collectors are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics.

One example of this behavior is found in the [[video game industry]], where fans of any given [[video game console]] manufacturer can exhibit very high levels of devotion to their brand of choice, often at the expense of considering competing brands objectively. This attitude can lead to rudeness towards fans of competing brands or towards those who do not share their level of devotion to their console of choice. This pattern has contributed to a more negative connotation of the term.{{fact}}

Fanboys are often perceived as possessing a [[sycophant]]ic devotion to the creators behind the object of their passion{{fact}}, but also as being likely to move their focus quickly elsewhere with just as much passion, once something else catches their attention{{fact}}.
One example of this is [[Harry Knowles]] and his associates at [[Ain't It Cool News]], whose particular focus is on [[film|movies]] in the [[action movie|action]], [[fantasy]], adventure and [[superhero]] genres{{fact}}.
Fanboys are also perceived as having a strong emotional attachment to the object of their devotion, often responding to negative remarks about it as though they were personal attacks{{fact}}.

==Some common types of fanboys==
===Video game fanboys===
After comic books, video games may be the most fruitful environment for fanboys. These include:
*[[Nintendo]] Fanboys (sometimes called a "Ninty" or "Drone", short for "Nintendrone", also [[Nintendophile]]
*[[Sony]] Fanboys (sometimes called "Tools", short for "PSTool" which is derived from Sony's current entertainment console, the [[PS2]])
*[[Xbox]] Fanboys (sometimes called "Xbots")
*[[Sega]] Fanboys
*[[Final Fantasy]] Fanboys (want the series to continue forever)

On the [[GameSpot]] System Wars forum, as well as SystemWars.com [http://www.systemwars.com/forums/], the different schools of video game fanboys are associated with various animals. Nintendo fanboys are called "[[sheep]]" because of their perceived willingness to be herded by Nintendo. Sony fanboys are called "[[Cattle|cows]]" because of the perception they pay extra, i.e. are "milked" by Sony for optional features for their equipment of choice. Microsoft fanboys are called "[[Lemming|lemmings]]" because of the perception they follow Microsoft blindly, even if it leads to their demise. Similarly, PC fanboys are called "[[hermits]]" because they are perceived as solitary, friendless gamers who play by themselves.

===Anime fanboys===
Anime is another fertile breeding ground for fanboys. Some notable examples are:
*[[Dragon Ball]] Fanboys (get hung up on names, especially [[romanji]])
*[[Sailor Moon]] Fanboys (very strict about [[manga]] continuity)
*[[Inuyasha]] Fangirls (generally, they're all [[female]], but display all the traits of fanboys)

===Software fanboys===
* [[Linux]] Fanboys - Love open source and believe that anything coming from Microsoft is inferior.
* [[Mac]] Fanboys - Are devoted to the Mac design concept and think that anything coming from Apple is amazing.
* [[Microsoft]] Fanboys - Love Windows' ease-of-use and all Microsoft stuff.

==In Media==
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''

===Television===
*[[The Simpsons]]' [[Comic Book Guy]]

===Radio/Podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]

===Webcomics===
*[[Fanboy Almanac (webcomic)]] - [http://fanboyalmanac.com Fanboy Almanac]
*[http://www.ngeb.net/fanboys Fanboys web comic]

==See also==
* [[addiction]]
* [[otaku]]
* [[anorak (slang)|anorak]]

[[Category:Fandom]]

[[de:Fanboy]]